SAN BERNARDINO — Arrowhead Christian Academy boys basketball coach Lance Evbuomwan was named the Most Valuable Player of the San Bernardino Kiwanis tournament when he led Redlands East Valley to the title in 2006. His effort to win the coaching trophy fell short on Friday night.
Coby Christiansen scored 28 points to earn tournament Most Valuable Player honors and Palm Desert came back from a 16-point deficit to earn an 80-70 victory in Friday night’s finale of the 65th San Bernardino Kiwanis Tournament.
Arrowhead Christian struggled without 6-foot-10 senior center Clayton Mpiana, who drew his fifth personal foul with 4:59 remaining in regulation. Mpiana was a force inside for the Eagles (9-3), scoring 19 points in 19 minutes. But he got into foul trouble in the second half when he was assessed four fouls within 40 seconds of the third quarter.
Mpiana was charged with a personal and a technical with 6:03 remaining in the third period. That counts as two of the five personal fouls toward disqualification. Here’s how Evbuomwan saw things:
“He drove to the hoop and I thought he was fouled,” Evbuomwan said. “He (Mpiana) said, ‘and one.’ Mpiana’s face was close to his opponent. Sometimes perception is important.”
Mpiana had a layup to tie the score at 58, but picked up his fifth foul guarding 5-foot-9 freshman Kamrynn Nathan, who was attempting a 3-point shot more than 25 feet from the basket. Nathan made all three free throws to lift Palm Desert to a 61-58 advantage.
Palm Desert coach Justin Sobczyk said he didn’t think Nathan played well in the earlier tournament games, but he played very well during a stretch where the Aztecs (17-3) scored eight straight points. He made all four of his other free throws and had an assist.
“He (Nathan) is absolutely fearless,” Sobczyk said. “He has played travel ball and he’s seen a lot, so nothing bothers him.”
Both coaches have a mutual respect for each other. Sobczyk said Arrowhead Christian is the strongest team the Aztecs have played this year.
The game was competitive from start to finish. Palm Desert started quickly, racing to a 13-5 lead midway through the opening period. Christiansen led the Aztecs’ fast start with 11 points in the first quarter.
Palm Desert teammates Nathan and Jake Brande joined Christiansen on the all-tournament team, as did Arrowhead Christian’s Mpiana, Tyler Young, and Eso Ozonoh.
“There are a lot of local guys and a lot of tough teams in this tournament.” Evbuomwan said. “We have to fix some things offensively, but we are getting better and in a good position.”